Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites

The work of archaeologists has commanded worldwide attention and captivated the human imagination since the earliest days of the exploration, with groundbreaking discoveries such as the treasures of ancient Egypt, the lost kingdoms of the Maya, and the fabled city of Troy. Archaeology brings us face-to-face with our distant ancestors, with treasures of the past, and with life as it was lived in long-ago civilizations.

Despite the fascinating and often romantic appeal of archaeology, many of us have little idea of what the field actually involves. What, exactly, do archaeologists do? What takes place on an archaeological dig? And how does the reality of the work differ from what we see in Indiana Jones movies?

Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites, taught by renowned archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Eric H. Cline, answers these questions and more in rich and provocative detail. This thrilling new course, produced in partnership with National Geographic, introduces you to over 20 of the most significant and enthralling archaeological sites on the planet, providing both an in-depth look at the sites themselves and an insider’s view of the history, science, and technology of archaeology.

Within the course’s 24 visually rich lectures, you’ll study some of the most famous archaeological discoveries of all time, including:

the tomb of King Tut: the final resting place of ancient Egypt’s boy pharaoh, whose dramatic discovery mesmerized the world in 1922
the ruins of Pompeii: the astonishingly well-preserved ancient Roman city, which was buried in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
the terra-cotta warriors at Xi’an: the vast army of life-size ceramic soldiers created to guide China’s first emperor into the afterlife

Throughout the course, Professor Cline offers dynamic commentary and responds to questions archaeologists are frequently asked, such as: How do archaeologists find ancient sites? How is an actual excavation performed? How do archaeologists determine how old something is?

In examining the world’s premier archaeological sites, the lectures explore how archaeology plays a vital role in the advancement of knowledge, by separating folklore and legend from factual history. As Professor Cline makes clear, archaeology is one of the most objective sources we have about history as it really happened, allowing us to cross-check written accounts, as well as to discover information, events, and cultures we knew nothing about.

Travel with a National Geographic Explorer

What began as a haphazard search for famous sites of ancient history has evolved into a highly organized, professional, and systematic study of the peoples and cultures of the past. During this course, you’ll trace the evolution of archaeology from the first crude excavations at Herculaneum to the advanced methods being used at Teotihuacan today. You’ll also gain firsthand insight into cutting-edge technology that has forever changed the field.

And, in this site-oriented exploration, you’ll travel the world: from Ur in Mesopotamia to China’s Shanxi Province; from Masada in Israel to the ancient ruins of Akrotiri in Greece; from Sutton Hoo in England to Machu Picchu in Peru, and many other intriguing locales.

For over a century, National Geographic has been a leader in bringing archaeological discoveries to the world through countless explorations, digs, research projects, and magazine stories. Whether you’re new to the subject or a seasoned archaeology enthusiast, National Geographic’s unique resources will provide an unparalleled glimpse into this fascinating field.

Lectures:
TTC9431 S01E01 The Origins of Modern Archaeology
TTC9431 S01E02 Excavating Pompeii and Herculaneum
TTC9431 S01E03 Schliemann and His Successors at Troy
TTC9431 S01E04 Early Archaeology in Mesopotamia
TTC9431 S01E05 How Do Archaeologists Know Where to Dig
TTC9431 S01E06 Prehistoric Archaeology
TTC9431 S01E07 Göbekli Tepe, Çatalhöyük, and Jericho
TTC9431 S01E08 Pyramids, Mummies, and Hieroglyphics
TTC9431 S01E09 King Tut's Tomb
TTC9431 S01E10 How Do You Excavate at a Site
TTC9431 S01E11 Discovering Mycenae and Knossos
TTC9431 S01E12 Santorini, Akrotiri, and the Atlantis Myth
TTC9431 S01E13 The Uluburun Shipwreck
TTC9431 S01E14 The Dead Sea Scrolls
TTC9431 S01E15 The Myth of Masada
TTC9431 S01E16 Megiddo - Excavating Armageddon
TTC9431 S01E17 The Canaanite Palace at Tel Kabri
TTC9431 S01E18 Petra, Palmyra, and Ebla
TTC9431 S01E19 How Are Artifacts Dated and Preserved
TTC9431 S01E20 The Terra-cotta Army, Sutton Hoo, and Ötzi
TTC9431 S01E21 Discovering the Maya
TTC9431 S01E22 The Nazca Lines, Sipán, and Machu Picchu
TTC9431 S01E23 Archaeology in North America
TTC9431 S01E24 From the Aztecs to Future Archaeology